LONDON - British Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom has apologised to Interior Minister Theresa May for remarks suggesting being a mother made her a better candidate for prime minister, media reports said on Monday (July 11).

The row broke out after Mrs Leadsom, a mother of three, said in an interview with The Times of London that having children meant she had "a very real stake" in Britain's future.

Mrs May, who is the favourite to succeed Mr David Cameron as leader of the ruling Conservative Party and therefore PM, is childless.

Mr Cameron is stepping down after failing to convince Britons to vote to stay in the EU in the June 23 referendum.

Mrs Leadsom told the Daily Telegraph: "I've already said to Theresa how very sorry I am for any hurt I have caused."

The Straits Times

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